ALBANY - The Democrats will back Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the Republicans are lined up behind Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.

But that doesn't mean there won't be plenty of political intrigue left for the state Democratic and Republican nominating conventions, which kick off Wednesday on Long Island and in Manhattan, respectively.

Ex-Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's surprise resignation amid abuse allegations has opened up the field to become New York's top legal officer, while Molinaro will get to introduce his new running mate Julie Killian to a statewide audience.

Killian will get a speaking role Wednesday at the Republican convention, when she and Molinaro will be nominated.

Among the frontrunners for the lieutenant governor role had been Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, who helped lead the search process for Molinaro's running mate while remaining a possibility for the gig herself.

Other possible candidates were Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer and New York City Councilman Joe Borelli.

Prior to Molinaro's selection, some Republican leaders had been hoping Molinaro would pick a woman to be his running mate.

"I think somebody from downstate would probably be a good choice, maybe a woman to help balance out the ticket," Chemung County GOP Chair Rodney Strange said. "Whatever he thinks is the best combination for him."

Cuomo's running mate is Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who faces a primary challenge from New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams.

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During a wide ranging speech at Marist College in Poughkeepsie Thursday, and then in remarks to reporters after his speech, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke about the need for federal gun legislature as well as universal background checks.
Seth Harrison/Poughkeepsie Journal

Which Democrat(s) will run for AG?

Schneiderman's resignation has turned the attorney general's race into something of a free-for-all.

A Manhattan Democrat, Schneiderman stepped down earlier this month after The New Yorker detailed allegations from four women who accused him of slapping, spitting on or otherwise degrading them.

Lawmakers will appoint an interim attorney general as soon as this coming week, while voters will award a four-year term to a candidate this fall.

Now, candidates on both sides of the aisle have been gauging the waters, seeing whether they can garner enough of their party's support to be on the ballot.

On the Democratic side, New York City Public Advocate Letitia "Tish" James announced her bid Wednesday and immediately picked up some major early endorsements from several labor unions and officials, including Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, Monroe County.

"I am proud to announce my candidacy for attorney general, where I will continue to use the power of the law to move our great state forward,” James said in a statement.

James appears to be the frontrunner for the Democratic nod.

But some other potential candidates had yet to announce their intentions as of Friday, including Cuomo counsel Alphonso David, former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout, Columbia Law School professor and open Internet advocate Tim Wu and former attorney general hopeful Sean Coffey, an attorney from Bronxville, Westchester County.

In a phone interview Friday, Coffey — who finished third in a five-way Democratic primary in 2010 — said he's weighing whether to run and is "seriously considering" going to the convention Wednesday.

"I'm giving it serious consideration and I'm quite flattered by the number of calls and encouragement I've been receiving," said Coffey, a private attorney.

If a candidate doesn't receive enough support at the convention, they can still petition their way on to their party's primary ballot this September.

What about Republicans for AG?

Manny Alicandro, a private attorney from Manhattan, had been the only Republican candidate running for attorney general prior to Schneiderman's resignation.

Now, several others have been gauging support.

John Cahill, a former top aide to Gov. George Pataki, is weighing a run and has been encouraged to do so by county Republican leaders, including Broome County GOP Chair Bijoy Datta.

Cahill lost against Schneiderman in 2014.

"I think John Cahill would make an excellent candidate," Datta said. "He has a stellar track record from the Pataki administration and in private practice."

Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach, meanwhile, has launched a bid for the GOP nod, while former Pataki aide Joe Holland and private attorney Keith Wofford are also weighing a run.